Raiderz

Grabbing a monster’s claw after defeating it and then using said claw to slice in half one of his buddies is just plain cool. This is one of the unique aspects of Raiderz that is starting to gain the new free-to-play MMO some well-earned attention. I had the opportunity to take this new title for a short test drive during alpha testing, and have to say that while it’s early in its development, Raiderz has some potential.

Developed by MAIET and published by Perfect World Entertainment, Raiderz is set in the destroyed realm of Rendel, a once prosperous and powerful kingdom. MAIET explains that “vicious beasts now roam the lands with an insatiable thirst for blood and a desire to claim Rendel as their own.” All hope is not lost, however, as “a team of champions with weapons and armor forged from the contaminated beasts has risen to slay the marauding monsters.”

You, of course, will be one of those champions. Players jump into the game by choosing to take on the role of a Defender, Berzerker, Cleric, or Sorcerer. All offer their own unique attributes, and you get to choose their weapons and combat styles. The developers refuse to call these different groups classes, but rather “fighting styles”, and true to their word, you are not stuck in any of these fighting styles for long. You can create hybrid classes and some really unique builds depending on your preferences. This is one aspect of the game that sets it apart from many other MMORPG’s; the ability to blend styles and cross boundaries is exciting for MMO gamers who have always wanted to mix and match the skills of their characters.